Widening the Margin
It is critical in life to maintain margin. I have been a poor ambassador for this concept most of my life. I have filled every page to the maximum space and word count. I have loaded every minute and every day with whatever I personally deemed most worthy. And in the process I have lost focus, I have lost direction, and I have lost opportunity. But God has been working on me.
As my life has taken a detour, a re-tour, a new tour, I have come to accept that my illness requires my margins to be much wider than they used to be. I need more white space to function, to do only the essential things that the old me could juggle effortlessly.
Perhaps more importantly, I am on the verge of something new. Sometimes when something new arrives, it is necessary to say no to good things in order to say yes to something better. My wider margins require it. In order to take on some exciting new writing commitments, I will be posting just once per week going forward. This has been a very difficult decision for me because I get so many amazing comments, emails, and responses. I know you are listening to me, as I am listening to you. I want to continue the conversation, to continue writing our story together, only now at a slower pace.
Author Richard Swenson says, “Marginless is being asked to carry a load five pounds heavier than you can lift; margin is a friend to carry half the burden.” As readers, you have been a great burden lifter to me. Your encouragement has kept me going many days when it seemed easier to give up. I hope that by limiting the posts to once per week, I can continue to produce quality content that speaks to you and helps bind you up on your difficult journey through this unpredictable life. Just as you have done for me. Thank you for encouraging me to stretch into the unknown but exciting territory ahead. I will keep you posted on my new ventures. Let’s continue together!
May God Bless YOU richly for the love and wisdom that you have given me, and so many others. While I too “suffer” (from two terminal afflictions), I am grateful
to be able to give my limitations and discomfort to Jesus in gratitude for HIS suffering for mankind . I look so very forward to yet more of your gifts of love❤️… Your Brother in Christ , Joe
Thank you so much for these kind words, Joe. Your attitude inspires me as I know it does others. We continue!
You have brought so much comfort to me in your posts. The comfort is found in seeing your faith and how or shines in your posts and encourages me. I will miss the more frequent posts but certainly understand the need for you to lessen your stress level. Although your stories don’t reflect stress at all, just you telling your story. It brings peace to me each time I read it and I’m excited to see them coming. I appreciate the time and thought you out in to this blog. As I read each post I see in my thoughts your face, or Del’s, or maybe one of your talented kids. It’s been almost 6 years since our big moving truck pulled away from our dream house in Bella Vista an unloaded its contents in Tyler, TX. We miss Bentonville/Bella Vista and our friends there, but we came here to be with family and for the grandkids. It has been rewarding, although unforeseen bumps in the road, we are glad we made the decision to move. We don’t get to B’ville as much as we’d like, at our ages it’s a hard 7-8 hour trip and this is home now. We are thankful for our 43 years in Bentonville and the friends there, you are a big part of that family. You continue to be in our daily prayers. God is in control, and He will take care of us. Hugs and love. GN
Gay, we think of you and Jasper so often, and miss having you here. I am honored that you take the time to read my posts, and I am thankful that you find comfort in them. I know your unselfish decision to move has been a blessing to your grandchildren. God’s blessings to you, my friend!
Congratulations on widening your margins! I will keep reading… absolutely, positively, without a doubt!
Thank you, Donna. Your enthusiasm is just what I was referring to in the post that keeps me going! Blessings to you.
I so appreciate your beautiful writing and your inspiring story. You have many gifts, most especially an ability to see the true spirit in life’s events. Thank you forever for sharing, Lori. God bless you.